What is Awaiting Us...?

Doesn't everybody at some point in time look to the future. Whether its looking to tomorrow or 10 years from now. Well how about 40 years from now? What does the future say for us in 2050. Will apparently, according to a new study, in 2050 the number of Americans with diabetes will triple! Especially if things continue as they are now. Triple! 31% of Alabama already have diabetes now! Think what the number would be when it triples for the entire country. Scary huh?

Well it doesn't have to be. Eat Healthier! Outside of school or the past month I've been eating only vegetarian meals, and it does make a difference! Come on healthy food taste good too sometimes! It's as simple as switching to Multi-Grain Tostitos (the ones you eat with salsa) So come on, try it. I promise you, if I can do it, so can you!

NY Mayor Tries to Ban Food Stamps for Sodas

According to this New York Times article from October 7, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg is facing opposition in his proposed plan to keep food stamp recipients from using the government-run food program to purchase sodas or any other drink with sugar added to it. The arguments for the proposal, which is backed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, regard soft drinks' role in causing obesity and diabetes, as well as the previous banning of sodas in school lunchrooms.

The article reminds the reader that "the food-stamp program had not changed since 1977: 'any food or food product for home consumption except alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption.'" Basically, right now no one may use food stamps to go out to eat, buy take-out food, or buy beer, wine, cigarettes, etc. The prohibition of these items seems like a good idea, since I don't think anyone wants a person to use food stamps for these kinds of items.

However, adding unhealthy grocery-store items to the list of taboo items will be more difficult. It still seems like a bad idea to use food stamps for Cokes, Doritos, and Twinkies, but where is the line for intervening in which foods are purchased with the vouchers? I, too, would like to believe that the government assistance should be used to buy healthy food, but the truth is that I eat a lot of junk food too, so I would be kind of a hypocrite to proclaim my support of Bloomberg's proposal, wouldn't I?

Give It To Me Straight, Doc!

Okay, you're at the doctor for a check-up, right? Everything's going great, then he tells you, you have diabetes, and leaves. Now what? Well this situation isn't as uncommon as you think. I've even read of cases where the doctor gave his patient two pamphlets after telling them of their newfound challenge. Wouldn't you want more? Well when struggling with diabetes of course consulting a doctor is going to be beneficial, but sometimes a little more is required on the patient's part. They have to do the research themselves, choose healthier/ better foods to eat, and exercise. Diabetics have to be educated.

Diabetes is caused by melancholy.
Thomas Willis

The Farm to School Program

This program supports efforts to provide healthier food options in school cafeterias:
http://www.ecotrust.org/farmtoschool/

Teen Health~ Put The Twinkie Down

Being a teen, it's easy to forget that we should watch what we eat. With stress coming from school, home, and (maybe) a job, we have too much to worry about to care what we are eating. If you believe the previous statement is true, you are completely wrong! There are many things we can do to ensure that we don't consume too much sugar or calories.  According to this site teens, depending upon their age and gender, should only take in between 1800-2800 a day, but many of us will go over that amount way half the day is gone. I'm not going to tell you a lot about what you should eat at every meal every day (meaning you should eat every meal), but I will tell you that you should be weary of one of our main enemies in being healthy as teens:Junk Food.

  Snack cakes, candy, and other junk food items are easy to get offer a quick relief for hunger. It is true that one snack cake here and there won't harm, being a bit pickier with what you eat could bring about some good results. In stead of reaching for a Twinkie or a SNICKERS® bar when you're hungry, try choosing healthy snacks like dried or regular fruit,  vegetables slices, or granola bars. They can give an abundance of protein, vitamins, and amino acids needed for a healthier body. There are other things you can do to make your snacks healthier like choosing butter free popcorn, choosing whole wheat over whole bread, and getting whole grain snack foods.  Also try to avoid drinking your calories in soft drinks and milkshakes. Instead drink some water, fruit juice or grab a V8®.
      There are sites out there have a list of junk food alternatives and fun recipes to try. One of these sites is Seventeen.com. They offer a lot of healthy meals and snacks that are easy to make on your own. Currently they on their website they have thirty days of recipes that you can try.

Don't think that you can't enjoy a quick snack every once in a while, just make sure you eat in moderation; too much of a good thing can kill you.

Teens on Health

Trying to stay healthy can be very challenging for teens today. Homework, school, and our jobs are just a few things that are keeping us from being active. Eating healthy seems to be more of a burden than the right to thing with the affordability of fast food. Yet some teens have changed their lifestyles so that they can live healthier. I'll discuss how local teens stay healthy, whether it's by not eating meat, working out, or eating only organic food. I'll also give information to help change your lifestyle,eating habits, and become a healthier individual. More from my project will soon come, so stay tuned. ~Chan